Graduation Issue 2010
Fuel HOPE
Helping Filipino Children and Youth Overcome Poverty through Education
A toast to the new
GRADUATES
852 Tulong Aral ng Petron scholars, 79 honor students, 4 valedictorians Petron Corporation sustains its commitment to Fuel Hope with the graduation of the second batch of Tulong Aral ng Petron scholars for school year 2009-2010. A total of 852 scholars under Tulong Aral will be joining the graduation rites in their respective schools this month. Petron also takes pride in having 79 honor students, four of whom are class valedictorians. As of end-2009, there were over 6,000 Tulong Aral ng Petron scholars from grades 1 to 6 who receive education benefits, including the provision of books, school supplies and uniforms; daily meal allowances and mentoring program for children; as well as capability building and livelihood programs for parents. Petron attributes the success of the Tulong Aral program to its partnerships with the DSWD, DepEd, World Vision Development Foundation, the Philippine Psychology Research and Training House, Sa Aklat Sisikat Foundation, and the SM Retail Stores where it distributes the school supplies, shoes and books. Petron employees and volunteers also sustain the program through donations.
Take a bow, Batch 2! Every commencement ceremony I attend becomes very meaningful to me. I take time to look at the faces of the graduates as they walk through the aisle while both their parents and teachers applaud on the sidelines, their hearts unable to contain the joy.
children to school and give education a priority over putting food on the table.
Message from the Executive Director
Some graduates are easily moved to tears, while others merely smile ear-to-ear. Some fight back the emotion, and others seemed eager to throw their graduation caps and start a fresh journey. Through all these, I always feel honored to be part of this array of emotions. And, as always, I beam with pride. I know I share this feeling with many parents, teachers, principals, and students even as the economic hardships we face make it tougher and tougher each year to continue sending our
As parents, we are moved by tears of joy because we continue to believe that education is and remains the best way out of poverty. We take great pride in having a graduate in the family because we still believe this gives us a fighting chance to gain a brighter future for our children.
Unfortunately, some driven by despair now look at education as a burden to the family. Some willingly surrender their ability to hope and even pass on the blighted hope to their children. In 2008, Petron Corporation celebrated a milestone with the graduation of the first batch of scholars of Tulong Aral ng Petron. Continued at the back
Continued...
Hope has no limits Her physical disability did not stop this Tulong Aral ng Petron scholar from reaching for her dreams.
Frail, dusky, and wearing an old school uniform, Kriselda Abenojar was among hundreds of Tulong Aral ng Petron scholars, excitedly picking out brand new uniforms, shiny shoes and colorful bags at an SM mall. This was two years ago when she was 11 years old. Despite her small frame, Kriselda stood out from the crowd. Her eyes conveyed a deep level of understanding much beyond her years. And then one realized why: she has no arms. Her father, Ernesto, said Kriselda, the youngest of five children, was born with this physical disadvantage. But what she lacked in limbs she made up for her great sense of motivation. One proof is that she made it as a Tulong Aral scholar. This was her motivation to take her studies seriously. The family of seven did not have enough food on the table at all times so Kriselda often skipped breakfast or supper. But this did not keep her from going to school. She was convinced that poverty and physical inadequacies should not deter her from making good in life. In fact, she did her homework using the only writing means available to her: by foot. When she was asked to use a computer, Kriselda used her left foot and began typing: “Dear Petron: Sana po matapos pag-aaral.” She punctuated her message with a firm promise: “Lagi ko pong pagbubutihan ang pag-aaral ko.” (I will always try to make good in my studies). For a young girl living in poverty and with a physical handicap, Kriselda proved there is no limit to believing that there is hope for a brighter tomorrow and that she can reach her dreams.
REPORTCARD Fuel H.O.P.E. Beneficiaries
6,002 Tulong Aral ng Petron scholars
2,671 Outstanding students of Tulong Aral
254
The top 300 from this pioneer batch went on to become Tulong Aral High School scholars of Petron and Land Bank of the Philippines. This year is equally significant, too. By producing a Batch 2 of graduates, we have shown that Tulong Aral ng Petron is still one of the longest-existing programs on education in the country. If we are to stay true to our mission of “Helping Filipino children and youth Overcome Poverty through Education,” we should be prepared for the journey to be long. We should be undaunted. And I know that we will complete this journey. We are committed to fueling hope for you and with you because we believe that education is the best way for us to succeed and have a better future. Congratulations to our Batch 2 scholars and parents! MARILOU G. ERNI Executive Director Petron Foundation, Inc.
Voices of Valedictorians Their Realities “Natutuhan ko po ang maging masikap at masipag sa aking pag-aaral para po hindi masayang ang aking scholarship.” — Kayla Louise Benitez, Capt. H. Annex, Pateros “Naging masayahin po ako dahil sa Tulong Aral. Pag malapit na po ang Pasko, nabibigyan po kami ng noche buena pack saka masayang programang Project Joy. Taon-taon ay binibigyan po kami ng libreng gamit sa school at pamasko ng Tulong Aral program.” — John Adrian Santos, Tangos Elementary School, Navotas
First Honor Tulong Aral scholars
132 Classrooms in Petron Schools constructed
177
Classrooms repaired in partnership with USAID
199 Classrooms repaired under Brigada Eskwela
19,700
Their Dreams “Gusto ko pong maging teacher. Gusto ko pong magturo sa mga bata at ibahagi sa kanila ang aking mga natutuhan.” — Dona Bell Carriaga, A. Mabini Elementary School, Caloocan City “Mula pa po nung bata ako, pangarap ko na pong maging doctor, para po makatulong ako sa mga maysakit na walang pera. Marami po kasing maysakit na namamatay na lang ng hindi nagagamot dahil wala silang pambili ng gamot o pambayad sa doktor.” — Julius Toriao, Tenement Elementary School, Taguig “Gusto ko maging teacher pagkatapos ko pong mag-aral. Gusto ko pong makapagturo sa mga batang nag-aaral at para na rin makatulong ako sa aking mga magulang.” — Cleo Llamera, Batasan Elementary School, Quezon City
Children who benefit from Petron Schools
2,441 Teachers trained in promoting reading
1,596
Teachers trained in English, Science and Math
80% Percentage of Petron employees who volunteered in CSR programs
We would like to thank all our employee volunteers, donors and program partners for helping us Fuel Hope.